Galapagos Islands
As partners and supporters of Galapagos Science Center, created by North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, we work to ensure healthy social and ecological systems for future generations through educational projects and workshops in the community.
About the Galapagos Science Center
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador created the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) in 2011 to advance science and conservation in the Galapagos Islands — and to extend a richer, more complete understanding of island ecosystems and the threats to their sustainability to the world.
The GSC is located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos Archipelago, and is the only university science facility of its kind in the Galapagos.
The mission of the GSC is to ensure healthy island ecosystems for future generations, and they do this by focusing on research, community outreach, and experiential education.
We are proud supporters of the Galapagos Science Center and believe in the work they are doing across these three vital areas.Please consider supporting the GSC to allow them to continue this meaningful work to not only help protect the Galapagos, but our planet!
Science by the Sea
The “Science by the Sea”, initiative by Galapagos Science Center and Golden Galapagos, is shared with our guests and is held once monthly aboard our vessels. This engages guests with our conservation efforts focused on three main areas: Oceans, Biodiversity, and Human Health.
These lectures are developed as interactive sessions with USFQ scientists in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal Island.
This led to science and sustainability being understandable with a fresh and more comprehensive approach.
These sessions showcase our work on tracking hammerhead shark migration, using AI to monitor sea turtle health, and studying the impact of microplastics on marine life and water cleanliness for communities in the Galapagos and many other actions.
This initiative helps us protect our oceans, wildlife and enhance the lives of local communities on the Islands.
GSC speakers’ areas of expertise range from sciences such as marine biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular tools to other fields such as environmental communication and audiovisual.
They are active members of diverse communities and conservation activities in the Galapagos.
Scientific research cruise: “Assessment of the health and population status of Galápagos’ emblematic fauna in the face of climate change conditions in the archipelago.”
We financed a scientific cruise for the Galápagos Science Center, conducted aboard the Sierra Negra from March to April 2024. This expedition focused on the ecological conditions of various species within the Galápagos Marine Reserve. The team visited 30 reproductive sites of iguanas, turtles, and sea lions across 14 islands, gathering crucial data on how these species are affected by climate events like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
The Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), Universidad of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), and the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) have partnered since 2014 to conserve the archipelago, conducting annual research cruises.
The 2024 expedition, lasting 15 days, involved diverse teams including park rangers, scientists, and experts from various organizations. Key results included assessing the populations of sea lions and fur seals and understanding their resilience to climate change. This effort has led to valuable scientific publications and databases for long-term climate impact assessments.
Our investment not only facilitates vital research but also reinforces our dedication to preserving the natural world for future generations.
Fields of Action
Research
Outstanding and integrative research is conducted at the GSC that contributes to protecting Earth’s unique and special places.
Our research is unique in that it looks at human and environment interactions, and is approached through a rich and varied interdisciplinary perspective.
The GSC always looks to maintain the proper balance between the natural environment and the people who live in and visit these special places, with areas of research including biodiversity, oceans, community & human health, conservation, and environmental change.
Community Outreach
The Galapagos Science Center contributes to the sustainable development and the generation of greater environmental awareness in the local community.
The GSC recognizes that research and action are most impactful and successful when part of a larger community, which is why over the past 10 years they have shown a long-term commitment to the people and communities of the Galapagos and to understanding the complex interactions among people and the environment in which they live.
Experimental Education
The Galapagos Science Center is a hub for education. Whether we are welcoming Ph.D. students of all fields, conducting undergraduate study abroad courses that open eager minds to new ideas, or providing students and faculty the freedom to explore complex questions about the nature of our world.
The Galapagos Science Center is a hub for education. Whether we are welcoming Ph.D. students of all fields, conducting undergraduate study abroad courses that open eager minds to new ideas, or providing students and faculty the freedom to explore complex questions about the nature of our world.
Students from UNC, USFQ, and worldwide have opportunities to learn through doing as research assistants, interns, and study abroad participants – allowing them to impact science, conservation, and scholarship through a personal journey of discovery that embraces transformative and global experiences.
SDG Orientation
